New Law Aims To Keep Banned Drivers Off The Roads

Similarly, disqualifications earned by Republic of Ireland drivers while in the UK will be recognised and enforced when they return home.

Road Safety Minister Edwin Poots said: "The reduction in the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads since the mid-1990s means we now have some of the safest roads in the world.

"But we need to continue to work tirelessly to make our roads even safer and if a UK driver commits a serious offence while in another jurisdiction it is right that their disqualification should still apply when they return home.

"From today this new law will ensure that disqualified drivers are not able to escape their punishment and so keep dangerous drivers off the roads."

The new law is the first practical step to recognise driving disqualifications in Europe under the terms of the 1998 European Convention on driving disqualifications.